Prospect Spotlight Series: Lewis Thorpe

Twins aren’t lucky he didn’t get taken in the rule 5 last year.

When he comes up, can we refer to his fastball as the Thorpedo? (Any chance he is related to Ian Thorpe?)

*are* lucky

*are* lucky

He wasn’t exposed to rule V draft if I recall

He was a year ago, I believe, which is what I meant. Which, technically, was the year before last, not last year, now that we are in 2019.

He was a year ago, I believe, which is what I meant. Which, technically, was the year before last, not last year, now that we are in 2019.

He was a year ago, I believe, which is what I meant. Which, technically, was the year before last, not last year, now that we are in 2019.

Nope, Thorpe was protected a year ago. He's been on the 40 man roster since 11/20/2017.

Have followed this kid since he was lights out in the Australian Winter League back in 2013-2014.  He was turning 18 and in a league with a mix of everything from guys with a cup of coffee to a lot of A and Hi-A ballplayers.  If memory serves, he had the second best ERA in the league up until one of his last starts.

I know most feel that Thorpe doesn't have the stuff to be a front of the rotation starter.  After missing two entire years of development, I agree he needs both experience and work on a couple aspects of his game. 

I see Thorpe as a pitcher who does have what it takes to make the next start every game after Berrios.  Is that as an number one, with Berrios as an ACE, or number two?  Only time will tell, but I have 100% confidence this kid is going to get there and be part of that young rotation that the Twins will win with as we enter the next decade.

Hee. another hilarious difference between bRef physical stats and where someone like Thorpe is now. (they list him at 160lbs; the handbook has him at 218.)

I'm excited about this guy, and hopeful he has another year of good health, because it feels like injury is the only thing that will derail him making his MLB debut in 2019. After missing 2 whole seasons (consecutively, on top of it!) he's finally healthy and pitching well. He's going to need to get deeper into games, so finishing off hitters efficiently is going to have to be part of what he works on in AAA, but the peripherals look great.

The day he comes up will be a G'Day

Nope, Thorpe was protected a year ago. He's been on the 40 man roster since 11/20/2017.

Weird, I thought that when he was out for a year or two with injury, he was left unprotected in the rule 5. Maybe I am confusing him with another pitcher (Felix Jorge?)

Thanks for the clarification.

Thorpe is one of the reasons I'm not overly concerned we appear to have glowing holes in the 2020 rotation. TR always said you send the best 5 out there, whatever hand they throw with. I like having a lefty.

He wasn't protected in November of 2016 though. I believe he was eligible and since he had just had Tommy John surgery, he went unselected.

Ah ha, I’m not totally crazy. Just off by a year.

A team would have had to have serious long-term planning, though, to selected Thorpe two years ago, keep him rostered for a year, and send him down.

It worked for the Twins with Pressley, I suppose.

Anyway, glad the Twins have Thorpe. Can we move on to discussing his “Thorpedo” pitch?

I like that he's already been tested an shown the ability to overcome adversity.

Oh, and his pitching stuff.

I don't care about mythical aces, ace is a very overused term. My hope is Thorpe fills the middle of the rotation starting in 2020. Finally we have 3 lefties, Gonsalves, Mejia, and Thorpe, vying for spots. Pitching is a numbers games, percentages are on our side.

I remain a big believer in Thorpe too. I've never seen him pitch but everything I read about him causes me to take notice. I'm hoping he will make his MLB debut with the Twins this coming season. Yeah, that may be wishful thinking, but I think he has the tools and the confidence to make an impact ASAP.

I remain a big believer in Thorpe too. I've never seen him pitch but everything I read about him causes me to take notice. I'm hoping he will make his MLB debut with the Twins this coming season. Yeah, that may be wishful thinking, but I think he has the tools and the confidence to make an impact ASAP.

Thorpe is intriguing talent to say the least. I hope he debuts this season but that might be a bit agressive.

I think he debuts this season, at the latest by September if he isn't hurt or tanking in AAA. It'd be aggressive to say that'll he'll stick in the rotation after his first call-up.

Hope your right I am encouraged by his progress.